Sophie Sooäär
Sophie Sooäär | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 September 1914 |
| Died | 14 March 1996(aged 81) |
| Nationality | Estonian |
| Other names | Sofie Sooäär Sophie Rathfelder Sophie Moisar |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1934–1976 |
| Spouse(s) | Unknown Rathfelder (1935–1941) Dr. Erich Johannes Moisar (1961-1977; his death) |
Sophie Sooäär(27 September 1914 – 14 March 1996) was anEstonianstage, television, and film actress and singer and dancer.
Early life and education
[edit]Sophie Sooäär (occasionally credited as Sofie Sooäär) was born inPärnuin 1914. She attended schools in Pärnu, graduating from secondary school in 1931; afterward, she studied dressmaking until 1934.[1]
Stage career
[edit]In 1934, Sooäär began an engagement at theEndla Theatrein her hometown of Pärnu as an actress and dancer. From 1941 until 1944 she performed as a soloist at the theatre. In 1944, she joined theEstonia Theatrein Tallinn as a soloist. However, the building which housed the Estonia song and drama society theatre and theEstonian National Operawas bombed and heavily damaged by Soviet air raids on 9 March 1944.[2]She would return to the stages of the theatre and the Estonian National Opera once the building was reopened to the public in 1947. After the dissolution of the Estonia song and drama society in 1949, she remained at the Estonian National Opera as an actress and singer until 1971.[3][4]
During her long career onstage at the Estonia Theatre, Sooäär performed in a number of stage plays, musicals and particularlyoperettasand was frequently paired with actor and singerEndel Pärn.[5]Among her more memorable roles at the theatre were in works by composers such as:Franz Lehar,Priit Ardna, Hans Pflanzer,Emmerich Kálmán,Sigmund Romberg,Johann Strauss II,Rudolf Friml,Herbert Stothart,Franz Schubert,Edgar Arro, Leo Normet,Parashkev Hadjiev,Frederick Loewe,Ülo Raudmäe,Gerd NatschinskiandMitch Leigh.[6][7]
Film and television
[edit]Sophie Sooäär's first film appearances was in the 1955 Aleksandr Mandrõkin directed musical concert filmKui saabub õhtufor Tallinna Kinostuudio, showcasing Estonian singers, dancers and actors in productions ofperforming artspieces. The film, featuring many members of the Estonian National Opera, features Sooäär asLinda,wife ofKalevand mother of the giantKalevipoeg,in a performance of composerEugen Kapp's balletKalevipoeg,inspired byEstonian mythologyand choreographed by Estonian ballet masters Ida Urbel and Udo Väljaots.[8]
In 1968, she appeared in theSulev Nõmmikdirected black-and-white television comedy filmMehed ei nuta,penned by Sulev Nõmmik andEnn Vetemaafor Eesti Telefim. Sooäär played the role of a farmhouse nurse to a group of insomniacs who have been taken to a remote island and given harsh and exhaustive (but sleepless) therapy and attempt to escape. The film has become extremely popular in Estonia and is still frequently broadcast on Estonian television.[9]
In 1970, she appeared as Maria in theVeljo Käsperdirected dramaTuulevaikus,based on the 1965 Einar Maasik penned novelTuisu Taavi seitse päevaforTallinnfilm.This was followed a year later by the role of Donna Laura in theArvo Kruusementdirected color film musical comedyDon Juan Tallinnas,starring Latvian actress Gunta Virkava in the title role of Don Juan, who arrives in Tallinn and is unwittingly waiting to be seduced by the city's women and challenged to duels by the city's men, not realizing that Don Juan is actually a woman disguised as a man and trading off of the real Don Juan's notoriety.Don Juan Tallinnaswas based on the playTookord Sevillasby Samuil Alyoshin and also produced by Tallinnfilm.[10][11]
In 1974, Sooäär had a minor role in the 1974 Veljo Käsper directedWorld War IIthemed youth adventure filmOhtlikud mängud.This was her last film role.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Between 1934 and 1941, Sophie Sooäär was married to a man with the surname Rathfelder. In 1961, she married Dr. Erich Johannes Moisar. The two remained married until his death in 1977. Sooäär did not remarry. She died in Tallinn in 1996 at age 81 and was buried in Tallinn'sForest Cemetery.[13]
References
[edit]- ^Eesti EntsüklopeediaSooäär, SophieRetrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^EstonicaThe Estonia Theatre in ruins, 1944Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Eesti EntsüklopeediaSooäär, SophieRetrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^arviiv.err.eeLaadi alla Lauluteatrite hääli: LAULUTEATRITE HÄÄLI. Sophie Sooäär10 June 1991. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^delfi.eeSophie Sooäär21 March 1996. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Eesti EntsüklopeediaSooäär, SophieRetrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^arviiv.err.eeLaadi alla Lauluteatrite hääli: LAULUTEATRITE HÄÄLI. Sophie Sooäär10 June 1991. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Eesti Filmi Andmebaas.Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^etv2.err.ee27 April 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Eesti Filmi Andmebaas.Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Fotis: Rahvusarhiivi Fotode Andmebaas.Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Eesti Filmi Andmebaas.Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^Haudi Kalmistute RegisterSophia Sooäär (a-st 1961 Moisar) (1914 –1996) operetinäitlejaRetrieved 10 January 2017.
